EPISODE · May 7, 2026 · 36 MIN
Inside the Non-Toxic Rocket Engine Changing Everything
from Throttle Up · host Sascha Deri & Justin Starbird
Welcome back to Throttle Up! We’re diving deep into the tech that’s redefining rocket propulsion. CEO Sascha Deri welcomes CTO David Hayrikyan, the engineering force on site, to discuss exactly what bluShift has built and why it stands apart from today's launch systems.In this episode, we talk grit, engineering, and the real-world simplicity that is cutting costs and complexity:What is a Hybrid Rocket Engine? David breaks down how their system uses solid fuel and liquid oxidizer to deliver all the performance needed for suborbital and hypersonic testing, without the cryogenics or massive price tag of the "Ferrari of rockets".Bio-Derived Fuel: Is it safe? Sascha, the guy who ate the fuel on CNN, explains the huge practical benefits: ease of availability, simple logistics, and zero explosive danger in manufacturing compared to traditional solid rocket motors. The fuel is more energy-dense than liquid fuel and makes manufacturing far simpler.The Skunkworks Story: David shares his passion for working until 2 a.m. in the early days and how Sascha’s relentless optimism helped a small team achieve what usually takes tens of millions of dollars.The Next Big Launch: What are the final technical hurdles before bluShift sells its first engine to a hypersonic customer? Sascha shares his excitement for the "awesome moment" when the full stack fires vertically.Follow the mission on Wefunder, then tune in to hear the story of ingenuity, persistence, and how a Maine-based company is making space accessible by choosing simplicity over complexity!
What this episode covers
Welcome back to Throttle Up! We’re diving deep into the tech that’s redefining rocket propulsion. CEO Sascha Deri welcomes CTO David Hayrikyan, the engineering force on site, to discuss exactly what bluShift has built and why it stands apart from today's launch systems.In this episode, we talk grit, engineering, and the real-world simplicity that is cutting costs and complexity:What is a Hybrid Rocket Engine? David breaks down how their system uses solid fuel and liquid oxidizer to deliver all the performance needed for suborbital and hypersonic testing, without the cryogenics or massive price tag of the "Ferrari of rockets".Bio-Derived Fuel: Is it safe? Sascha, the guy who ate the fuel on CNN, explains the huge practical benefits: ease of availability, simple logistics, and zero explosive danger in manufacturing compared to traditional solid rocket motors. The fuel is more energy-dense than liquid fuel and makes manufacturing far simpler.The Skunkworks Story: David shares his passion for working until 2 a.m. in the early days and how Sascha’s relentless optimism helped a small team achieve what usually takes tens of millions of dollars.The Next Big Launch: What are the final technical hurdles before bluShift sells its first engine to a hypersonic customer? Sascha shares his excitement for the "awesome moment" when the full stack fires vertically.Follow the mission on Wefunder, then tune in to hear the story of ingenuity, persistence, and how a Maine-based company is making space accessible by choosing simplicity over complexity!
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Inside the Non-Toxic Rocket Engine Changing Everything
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